As committee members introduced themselves, they mentioned one thing that might be different about technology when UW Bothell reaches 6,000 FTE.

Our future could be radically student-centered. Instead of imagining the university at the center with students coming to it, imagine the student at the center of the learning hub, with input from a variety of sources beyond just the university. Students will have a greater expectation for mobile learning support and productivity, and for collaborative technologies. Students will expect a wider variety of tools and new technologies. University sponsored systems like Blackboard might be less attractive to students than solutions that students can take with them beyond the university. There will be more connections to other universities through online learning. Technology may not be able to play as significant a role in the future if technology funding does not keep pace with change.

Orientation:

The TAC website, at http://www.uwb.edu/it/tac, is a repository of information about TAC, including agendas, minutes, and reports. FY11 reports include an annual report of committee activities and a report of the hybrid learning subcommittee.

IT Values, Mission and Goals

The committee reviewed IT’s mission, values, and goals for FY12. Betsy will send a copy of the handouts to all committee members and ask for feedback.

Planning this year’s work:

Topics that the committee will consider this year include 1) growth planning, 2) further refinement of a hybrid learning strategy, 3) the development of a learning platforms roadmap (to include plans for lecture capture, learning management system, webinar, virtual labs, etc.), and 4) faculty development related to technology changes.

The committee suggested some additional topics for consideration:

-The campus needs to devote attention to technology-related policy issues such as intellectual property, copyright, and FERPA. As we move forward with e-learning initiatives, attention to policy development is very important.

-Student support is focused mostly on our standard technology and systems. The committee should address support for student technology needs when software and systems used in the classroom are not considered part of UW Bothell’s standard support suite.

-The current technology budget is focused on replacement of existing technology rather than exploring new technologies. As we plan for growth to 6,000, it’s very important that we grow technology along with everything else. To be a campus that’s focused on the innovative use of technology takes a big financial investment. Is there a way to build on Bothell’s strengths with a more modest but still functional technology footprint?

Another goal for the year is to raise the visibility of this group. We need to offer the campus a way to connect with our decisions and provide more input. As we grow, we need to make faster decisions and move more quickly, while keeping the rest of the campus as engaged with our process as possible.

Other discussion:

Joe gave a brief update on learning analytics, explaining some of the work in CUSP on academic interventions. There was a brief discussion about some of the promises and pitfalls of learning analytics, including the danger that setting metrics for performance in specific areas (grades, attendance, etc.) might not work for students with different learning styles. It is also important to pay careful attention to student privacy issues, the use of analytics to evaluate faculty or program performance, and institutional applications.

Joe and Ted reported on ongoing work for a digital media equipment purchase process. Joe will revive the framework that he and Ted worked out and communicate with academic programs about it. Joe will work with Ted over the next month to finalize the ideas.

The committee asked how the Instructional and Research Support Committee can be involved in our work. Munehiro said that the IRSC has not met yet this year, but he would contact members and ask for input on TAC communication with them.

Next meeting

At the December meeting, the committee will finalize a work plan for the year and begin discussion.